“A View to a Kill” is the thirteenth single by Duran Duran, released in May 1985. The song was written by Duran Duran and John Barry, and recorded at Maison Rouge Studio and CTS Studio in London with a 60-piece orchestra. It remains the only James Bond theme song to have reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. more...
“All Time High” is a 1983 single release by Rita Coolidge introduced as the theme song for the James Bond film Octopussy. “All Time High” marked the return of regular James Bond theme composer John Barry after his absence from the For Your Eyes Only soundtrack. It is one of six Bond film title songs or songs that are not named after film's title. Prior to Rita Coolidge being assigned the Octopussy theme a contender was Mari Wilson, a British singer whose retro-image evoked the mid-‘60s when the Bond series originated, but Wilson’s lack of a US-profile led to a negative decision.
“For Your Eyes Only” is the theme tune to the 12th James Bond movie, For Your Eyes Only, written by Bill Conti and Mick Leeson, and performed by Scottish singer Sheena Easton. The song reached number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, and number eight on the UK Singles Chart.It was nominated for Best Song at the Academy Awards in 1982. more...
"Moonraker" was the third of the three Bond films for which the theme song was performed by Shirley Bassey. Frank Sinatra was considered for the vocals, before Johnny Mathis was approached and offered the opportunity. Mathis was unhappy about the song and withdrew from the project, leaving the producers scrambling for a replacement. Kate Bush declined, so JohnBarry offered the song to Bassey within just weeks of the release date. As a result Bassey made the recordings with very short notice and as a result, she never regarded the song ‘as her own’ as she had never had the chance to perform it or promote it first. more...
Diamonds Are Forever is the soundtrack by John Barry for the 7th James Bond film of the same name. “Diamonds Are Forever”, the title song with lyrics by Don Black, was the second Bond theme to be performed byShirley Bassey, after Goldfinger in 1964. more...
"You Only Live Twice", performed by Nancy Sinatra, is the theme song to the 1967 James Bond film of the same name. The music was by veteran Bond film composer John Barry, with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. The song is widely recognized for its striking opening bars, featuring a simple 2-bar theme in the high octaves of the violins and lush harmonies from French horns. It is considered by some to be among the best James Bond theme songs, and has become one of Nancy Sinatra's best known hits.
“Goldfinger” was the title song from the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger. Composed by John Barry and with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, the song was performed by Shirley Bassey for the film’s opening and closing title sequences, as well as the soundtrack album release. The release on vinyl of Bassey's (mono) version sold more than a million copies in the United States. more...
The originally intended theme song for Thunderball was entitled “Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” a reference to a nickname given to Bond by an Italian journalist in 1962. Dionne Warwick and Shirley Bassey both recorded versions, but halfway through the scoring process, Cubby Broccoli decided that the film’s title must appear in the lyrics, so “Thunderball” was commissioned. The song still plays a prominent role in the score and both singers’ versions have appeared on compilations in the 1990s.
